Otto Ellis ‘Butts’ Peterson, 84, passed away the evening of March 14, 2020 in Wausau, WI. He was the youngest of Elizabeth and Otto Senior’s ten children and born in a small Swedish community- Irma, WI. He joins his beloved wife Alice, to whom he was married 56 years, and his great granddaughter Taylor. He is survived by his two daughters and a son, Diane Osness-Merrill, WI, Roxane (Lyle) Eggersgluess-Merrill, WI, and Jeff Peterson- Dallas, GA. He will be greatly missed by his seven grandchildren: Aaron (Ginger) Osness, Ransey (Kaitlin) Osness, Loni Osness (Stephen Francour), Michelle Osness, Sabrina Eggersgluess, Kurt Eggersgluess, Jessica Peterson, and his two great grandchildren, Izzy and Leo. He is further survived by his brother Dale (Dolly) Peterson-Merrill, WI.
Otto celebrated his life with many friends, traveling abroad with his wife, and maintaining his shack on wooded acreage. He never failed to make a person smile, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an engaging conversationalist. Otto was hard working, growing up on a farm, and loyal employee, working at Acme Tree Surgery, the Merrill Courthouse, and the Brokaw Paper Mill, as a union member with over 30 years of service. He was also an involved community member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill.
A private memorial service for Otto will be held. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of gifts and flowers, Otto requested donations be made to the church in his memory. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com